We are a vibrant and diverse department based in Lancaster University’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. PPR was formed in 2010 by merging three subjects – Politics and International Relations, Philosophy, and Religious Studies. It’s the only department of its kind in the UK, and a great place to study and research.
Diversity and Flexibility
Combining three academic fields, PPR offers a broad range of teaching, research, and expertise. In addition to undergraduate single honours programmes such as BA International Relations, we offer many combined programmes. Some are within PPR, such as BA Philosophy and Politics. Others are joint with other departments, such as Law, History, Management or Economics.
We pride ourselves on offering flexibility to our students, with wide module choices and the ability to change or adapt your programme depending on your interests. For example, up to the end of their first year, undergraduate students can usually change their degree programme to a related one – for example, from BA Philosophy to a joint Philosophy degree, or from a joint Politics degree to BA Politics.
We also offer a broad range of postgraduate courses, including subject specific and combined programmes as well as distance learning programmes.
Excellence and Opportunity
PPR’s excellent research and teaching are reflected in our national and international rankings. In the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF) Lancaster scored 2nd in the UK for research power. We’re proud of our diverse, international research community, and this academic excellence directly informs our teaching.
We strive to enhance our students’ employment opportunities. As well as working closely with the LU Careers Service, we offer undergraduate programmes with an integrated Placement Year, allowing students to gain experience outside of academia. Most of our undergraduate degrees allow students to spend a year studying at a partner university overseas. We offer modules with applied policy aspects and direct links to external organisations.
Internships also enable students to develop skills and career prospects. The department’s Richardson Institute for Peace Studies has an internship programme where students work with local, national and international partners. Thanks to a generous alumni donation, we also offer short term research internships within the department. We also take part in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences internship programme.
Community and Collegiality
As well as a lively academic department, PPR students join the wider Lancaster University community. Our students play an active role in the LU Student Union and many student groups. The Department actively supports political, philosophical and religious student societies. Our graduates become part of a much larger LU community of over 150,000 alumni and more than 50 LU alumni groups around the world.
The department offers a friendly and collegial environment with staff and students from around the world. Our Athena SWAN Bronze award demonstrates our commitment to promoting gender equality, and members of the Department are playing a key role in the University’s commitment to the Advance HE’s Race Equality Charter.
Whether your interest is in learning, researching or collaborating, please get in touch – we’ll be delighted to share our enthusiasm for studying politics, philosophy and religion!